Turning Multifamily Walk-Throughs Into Leases
The “wow factor” was alive and well at Design & Construction Week 2025.
Design & Construction Week 2025, which comprised the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builders Show, underscored a clear direction. Personalization, technology and sustainability are shaping the future of kitchen and bath design. Digitally controlled shower systems, LED-integrated hydrotherapy bathtubs and a new breed of countertop materials with embedded tech for induction cooking and charging devices were all on display.
Residential design is also evolving to incorporate intelligent energy management, voice-controlled fixtures and water-saving technology. This year’s trade show provided lots of inspiration for multifamily developers looking to upgrade their amenity spaces or just see where consumer demand is headed.
Luxury is important to condo residents, and they are willing to pay more for spa-like extras that can enhance their wellness. For-rent investors can also tap into the desire for luxury by adding opulence through expensive-looking finishes and fixtures while staying within budget.
The hardware options at this year’s KBIS included muted metallics like brushed brass and polished nickel—and black matte isn’t going away yet either. The new breed of white appliances spotted last year is catching on, especially since they’re fully loaded with cool features like sous vide and updated with induction technology.
At the same time, color personalization for appliances is being offered much more broadly. Bold colors are being used in bathrooms and kitchens. Colorful statement pieces as well as edgy black bathtubs, sinks and toilets are having a day—in both matte and luxe polished finishes.
Meanwhile, cabinet manufacturers are going back to basics by expanding their wood tone collections in natural materials as well as laminates that look deceptively real. There’s a noticeable shift toward warmer and richer tones for cabinetry. Deep greens, earthy browns and smoky blues are prevalent across cabinetry and tile collections, reflecting a desire for more organic and nature-inspired interiors.
Refrigeration veteran True Residential unveiled their new Color of the Year, “Olive,” a nuanced and calming shade of green that evokes lush forests and mossy stones. Olive is the latest in a collection of custom colors. True is also offering 24-inch units designed for luxury living in smaller spaces.
In addition, LG showcased their streamlined counter-depth refrigerators and Samsung rolled out AI tools with LCD screens for connected devices and food tracking via a built-in camera to automate shopping lists. Also noteworthy was Midea’s convertible freezer/refrigerator that allows users to switch back and forth between a freezer or refrigerator function.
Defining luxury
Certainly, the luxury mindset is a moving target. Market research will reveal that for some apartment residents, luxury means having abundant connections with nature (like foliage in the lobby), living in a LEED-certified building or knowing that biophilic elements are woven into the interior design. For another, it’s having coworking space downstairs near a state-of-the-art coffee maker.
There’s no doubt that residents want choices and personalization. Now that developers have mastered the art of amenity spaces—a practice that differentiates the housing product within the marketplace—some are turning their attention toward creating the feeling of a bespoke living experience within individual apartment homes.
Perhaps at a smaller, boutique project it might make sense to offer a soaking tub. The Hammock Bath Co.’s freestanding tub is deep, lightweight, durable and versatile with a sleek and modern look that can elevate the overall aesthetic of any bathroom space. The International Builder’s Show judges named it a winner in the “Best Kitchen and Bath Product” category.
In a nod to the ongoing quest for carbon credits and LEED points, the Best of IBS judges awarded “Best Outdoor Product” to ECO₂LUXE by NCP Industries. It’s a collection of eco-friendly materials for building surfaces and pavers that absorb and neutralize CO₂ and reduce surface temperatures.
Of course, wildfire management is top of mind for owners and investors in every housing sector. This year’s “Best Home Technology Product” winner at IBS was Frontline Defense System 2 – Frontline Wildfire Defense. The system connects hardware and software through a smart mobile app. Fire tracking software automatically powers a sprinkler system when fire is within seven miles—more than 100 times faster than traditional sensor-based systems. The system saturates the property with water and biodegradable firefighting foam, creating an environment that is too wet to burn.
IBS also had its share of visually compelling products. Mario Romano specializes in feature walls for a range of indoor and outdoor commercial applications using durable materials like Corian. As always, Design & Construction Week was the place to research solutions for a variety of situations affecting developers, while also seeing the eye candy that can make the multifamily walk-through a more powerful leasing tool.
